Virat Kohli’s strike-rate in the ongoing IPL 2024 continues to divide opinion. Anything about Kohli accounts for significant web spaces and column inches, and his selection for the ICC T20 World Cup based on his strike-rate makes the conversation tasty.
The majority of the Team India regulars haven’t yet hit their straps with the first quarter of the tournament done. But the Kohli debate seems to have overshadowed it. RevSportz takes a look at how the other India stars have been doing, and their respective performance ratings.
Rohit Sharma: A tally of 156 runs from five matches has been a decent return for the India captain. Rohit changed his batting approach at the last year’s 50-over ICC World Cup, going gung-ho from the outset. He has carried forward his aggression in the shortest format as well. A strike-rate of 167.74 attests his intent. Rating, 6.5/10.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: He has been a let-down so far in this IPL, with 63 runs from five matches at an average of 12.60 and a strike-rate of 136.95. After the massive high in the Test series against England, the southpaw is probably suffering from the law of averages. His lean patch in the IPL, however, is unlikely to affect his selection for the T20 World Cup. The Indian team management and the selectors rate him highly and consider him a player for big occasions. Rating, 3.5/10.
Virat Kohli: So far, he has played a lone ranger as far as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting is concerned. Yes, his strike-rate, 141.77, is probably not quite in sync with modern-day T20 cricket, especially opening the innings. But a tally of 319 runs from six matches at an average of 79.75 cannot be ignored. Rating, 7/10.
Hardik Pandya: The Mumbai Indians captain has been going through a lot, as a section of fans continue to vent their ire over the captaincy change. Hardik has been slowly getting into the groove and his winning shot against RCB was scintillating. But he probably would like to improve on his 129 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 153.57. Rating, 5.5/10.
Rishabh Pant: That he has returned to competitive cricket at this level is heartening. Pant needs time to reach his peak and he is steadily getting there. The Delhi Capitals skipper has scored 194 runs from six matches, including a couple of half-centuries. His strike-rate, 157.72, is impressive as well. Pant is all but a certainty for the T20 World Cup if he stays fit. Rating, 6/10.
KL Rahul: He aspires to be there at the T20 World Cup. Coming back from a quad injury, he is keeping wicket and opening the innings for Lucknow Super Giants. But a tally of 165 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 137.50 has been a tad underwhelming. Rahul, though, has been leading his side well. Rating, 5/10.
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Rinku Singh: In four matches so far, Rinku has scored 63 runs at a strike-rate of 150. He has faced just 42 deliveries. Maybe, the left-hander needs to bat ahead of Ramandeep Singh for Kolkata Knight Riders. Rinku, in all likelihood, will make the T20 World Cup cut, as the team’s designated finisher. Rating, 5/10.
Ravindra Jadeja: Batting lower down the order, the all-rounder hasn’t yet played a significant innings and his tally of 84 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 140 leaves room for improvement. But he can be a match-winner with the ball as well, something that KKR will affirm.. Jadeja’s fielding remains a joy to watch. Rating, 5.5/10.
Jitesh Sharma: Given that the Indian team management has invested in him over the last one year, the Punjab Kings wicketkeeper-batter could be picked as Pant’s cover for the T20 World Cup. But his form in this IPL has been pretty poor – 77 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 135.08. Rating, 3.5/10.
Shivam Dube: With Pandya fit, it might be difficult to accommodate him in a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. But Dube has been fantastic so far in this IPL, especially against spin. A tally of 176 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 160 should give the selectors a nice headache. The 30-year-old, however, hasn’t bowled yet, coming back from a side strain. Rating, 6/10.
Sanju Samson: A small technical change – playing with a higher back-lift – has worked well for the Rajasthan Royals captain. He has scored 246 runs from five matches at a strike-rate of 157.69. But there’s a catch. Despite several opportunities in the past, the ‘keeper-batter has failed to bridge the gap between the IPL and international cricket, T20Is to be precise. Rating, 7/10.
Shreyas Iyer: He hasn’t been part of India’s T20I set-up of late and it’s very unlikely that Iyer would be picked for the T20 World Cup. As for the ongoing IPL, the KKR captain has 91 runs from four matches at a strike-rate of 131.88. He has been leading well though. Rating, 4/10.
Kuldeep Yadav: The chinaman bowler missed a few games due to a groin niggle, but whenever he has played, Kuldeep proved to be his team’s X-factor, with six wickets from three matches at an economy rate of 6.75. He is a certainty for the T20 World Cup. Rating, 7/10.
Axar Patel: Just four wickets from six matches so far, but the left-arm spinner has kept his economy rate down to 7.25. A very capable lower-order batter as well, Axar, however, hasn’t quite got going in this IPL. Rating, 4.5/10.
Ravi Bishnoi: Just four wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 8.06 suggests indifferent form. The leg-spinner could be the selectors’ preferred choice for the T20 World Cup, but he needs to up his game. Rating, 5/10.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Bishnoi’s competitor, he has been in terrific form, with 10 wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 7.33. But has the leggie done enough to convince the selectors? Time will tell. His fielding is also a factor. Rating, 8/10.
Arshdeep Singh: A tally of eight wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 8.72; it has been a so-so IPL so far for the left-arm seamer. After a slow start, he has been improving. Rating, 5.5/10.
Mohammed Siraj: He has been struggling. A tally of four wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 10.40 confirms that. Siraj needs to pull up his socks. Rating, 3/10.
Jasprit Bumrah: Words would be superfluous. Gold standard. For the record, Bumrah has taken 10 wickets from five matches at an economy rate of 5.95. Rating, 10/10.
Suryakumar Yadav is not in the list, for he has played just two matches as an Impact Sub after coming back from a long injury lay-off. Against RCB, via a 19-ball 52, Surya did justice to his ICC ranking, the number one T20I batsman in the world. He would be one of the first names on India’s T20 World Cup team sheet.
Also, the selectors and the Indian team management may like to choose from a core group of players. That has been their preferred template. There might be a couple of left field selections for the T20 World Cup, but the core is unlikely to be tinkered with.